<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF ROWAN COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 INCLUDED IN ITS FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD THEN
ENDED AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000

                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1999
<CASH>                                          81,163
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   85,346
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    104,008
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               297,496
<PP&E>                                       1,881,435
<DEPRECIATION>                                 908,782
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,275,488
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           78,470
<BONDS>                                        349,043
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                        11,117
<OTHER-SE>                                     706,425
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,275,488
<SALES>                                         45,327
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               219,222
<CGS>                                           35,430
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  235,942
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               5,750
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (18,716)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (6,092)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (12,624)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (12,624)
<EPS-BASIC>                                     (0.15)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (0.15)